While the Sacramento Kings put up a better fight against the Celtics, they still lost the game. Defense remains an issue, particularly when it comes to locking down the rim. In that regard, the Kings are already missing Dylan Cardwell, who has returned to the G League and taken his blocks with him.
Keeping in mind that the Kings were already having a terrible season, things got a lot worse in December with an ever-increasing number of injuries. It led to huge changes in the roster and the lineups, including calling rookie Dylan Cardwell up from the G League.
Cardwell went undrafted in 2025 but was signed by the Kings to a two-year, two-way contract. He has been assigned to Sacramento's G League team, the Stockton Kings. He's played incredibly well for the team, averaging 10.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Where Cardwell truly shines is on defense. In the G League, he has consistently been an absolute menace in the paint and under the rim, averaging 1.0 blocks per game. He's got the size, the skills, and, most importantly, the tenacity to be an elite defender in the NBA.
Cardwell was making a difference for the Kings
All the injuries combined with Cardwell's great G League play got him called up to Sacramento. He played six games in December, averaging 5.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He became part of the rookie trio of him, Maxime Raynaud, and Nique Clifford.
Once players started returning from injury, Cardwell went back to the G League. Two-way contracts limit the number of NBA games the player can be in during the season, and the Kings need to manage that with Cardwell. Still, it seems like they're really missing him on defense.
In last night's loss to the Celtics, the Kings had a total of two blocks. That's less than what Cardwell was averaging over his six games with Sacramento. In one faceoff with the Portland Trail Blazers, he had five blocks on his own. There's no denying that his defense acumen was important.
More time in the G League to keep improving is not a bad thing, but Sacramento needs to convert Cardwell to a regular contract and make him a permanent member of the roster. There is no denying him at this point, and getting him up to speed in the NBA quicker will be good in the long run.